Evo-Stik NPL League East Division
Christchurch Meadow, Belper
Monday, 27th August 2018, 3.00pm
Fightback Stuns Nailers
Gresley left the Belper players and supporters stunned as they grabbed a late, late winner to cap off what was a superb fightback at the Silver X Group Stadium.
After gifting the hosts two of the softest goals to put them comfortably ahead at the break Gresley hit back in the second half to claim all three points.
Gresley manager Gary Norton made just one change to the starting line-up from Saturday with Kane Lee replacing Alex Steadman.
The visitors were almost caught napping again in the early stages of a game when Nathan Curtis had a glorious chance to put his side ahead after just two minutes, but his shot lacked any power and was easily dealt with by keeper Jack Livesey.
Gresley had their early chance with a free kick from Mark Branch finding Martin Smyth but his shot was blocked by Belper’s keeper James Leverton and the rebound held. Albert Lansdowne then went close with a shot from distance which flew wide of the upright.
Belper was handed the lead on 25 minutes when young Gresley keeper failed to capture a cross and the ball fell kindly for Curtis who only had to steer the ball into the empty net which he promptly did.
The hosts now had their tails up and were pressing forward with Gresley having to defend for all their worth but they got caught on 33 minutes. Gresley had worked themselves up into the Belper half but the ball was eventually cleared down to the other end where a needless free kick was given away by the visitors.
Former Doncaster Rovers Craig Nelthorpe took the kick and hit it sweetly beating Liversey from 25 yards for goal number two.
Gresley managed to hold fast until the half-time whistle gave them some respite.
The second half performance from Gresley was in marked contrast to the first with pressure now being put on the home side who started to look quite shaky. However, before the fight back began in earnest Livesey had to deal with another well struck free kick from Nelthorpe but this time he saved well pushing the ball away to his left.
The breakthrough Gresley were hoping for came on 54 minutes. Dexter Morris-Clarke made a burst into the area only to be brought down by Nelthorpe giving the referee Mr Davis no option but to point to the spot. Smyth took the ball and fired it low into the corner to beat Leverton.
That goal seemed to swing the game in Gresley’s favour and they were soon hunting for an equaliser, but they had to wait for almost another twenty minutes before it came. A free kick from Branch on the right was steered into the net by Kieran O’Connell.
The game was finely balanced at this point with Gresley possibly having the edge. A corner from Branch found substitute Lucas Harrison who cracked a thunderbolt into the home defence and was blocked, the ricochet sent the ball almost to the halfway line and was collected by Curtis who raced forward before hitting a shot which Livesey did well to block sending the ball away for a corner which was cleared.
With time running out Gresley raced forward looking for one more chance and a free kick gave them that chance. Harrison’s free kick from the left was collected by Morris-Clarke who charged forward and into the area ending the run with a shot which, with aid of a slight deflection, beat Leverton bringing scenes of great joy both on and off the pitch.
